Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology has been awarded The Queen's Award for Enterprise: International Trade for more than doubling its overseas earnings over six years of sustained growth, and exporting over 90% of its production.

Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology, part of the Oxford Instruments Group, designs and manufactures high performance capital equipment for the semiconductor industry. The company started trading in 1981 and is the world's largest supplier of thin film plasma etch and deposition equipment to the R&D market, and is also in the top two in several key production applications.

The Company's outstanding performance was based on a comprehensive product range addressing a wide spread of markets combined with an aggressive strategy of developing new markets, primarily in Asia. This resulted in aggregate exports of £139 million in six years and the creation of 29 more full time permanent UK jobs, during the period applicable to the Award selection criteria. This growth has continued as demand for equipment has increased, and the Company has recently undergone an expansion and refurbishment programme, investing over £2.5 million ($4.0 million) in its factory near Bristol, UK. This has expanded production capacity by over 50%, and allowed Oxford instruments Plasma Technology to keep up with the significant growth in business witnessed in the last 12 months.

The Company has also substantially enlarged its Applications Laboratory by extending the research and development area, and installing an additional Class 1000 clean room area where another 6 tools for process development and running customer samples will be installed. This increase in facility size has resulted in more staff, with over 330 people now working in the company worldwide, with many new additions in the front line including process expertise, service and support.

Andy Matthews, Managing Director of Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology says "Our Company's continued growth and success is attributable to our strong workforce, continuous research and development, and our belief in listening to our customers and developing the tools and systems that they want. We're delighted with the Award as it recognises the skill, commitment and dedication of everyone at Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology over a sustained period, and we intend continuing to build on this success." "Oxford Instruments aims to meet our customers' needs through advanced technology and service, using innovation to turn smart science into world class products," comments Jonathan Flint, Chief Executive. "This is the 12th Queen's Award that the Oxford Instruments Group has won, and is a reflection of our commitment to delivering the tools that are needed to shape the future."